Darkness.
Endless, suffocating, eternal darkness.
Xiao Wang drifted in a void that had no beginning, no end — only whispers, echoes, and fragments of light that shimmered like dying stars. His body was gone. His senses scattered. Only his soul remained, flickering weakly like a candle in a storm.
And then — he heard it.
[Initialization: Complete.]
[Celestial Devourer System: Online.]
A chime echoed through the void, clear and cold, like divine machinery awakening after millennia of slumber.
"System?" Xiao Wang's voice trembled, his consciousness barely coherent. "What… is this…?"
[Host Identified: Xiao Wang.]
[Status: Severely Damaged Mortal Vessel.]
[Recommendation: Soul Reconstruction in Progress.]
A web of radiant blue symbols spread beneath him — each one pulsing with cosmic rhythm. It felt alive, like the heartbeat of creation itself.
[Synchronizing Ancestral Bloodline…]
[Fragment Detected: Primordial Devourer.]
[Reconstruction Rate: 67%...]
Pain surged through him — pain so pure it felt divine. He screamed as every cell of his being was torn apart and reforged in the flames of an ancient memory.
He saw flashes — an endless war between gods and devourers, the heavens split open by his blade, a colossal sword embedded in the heart of a dying universe.
"So… this is what I once was…"
[Memory Access Restricted.]
[Unauthorized. Current Rank Too Low.]
The voice was mechanical, but something about it carried authority, as if Heaven itself were bound to its rules.
Then another voice spoke — softer, familiar, older.
"You shouldn't have remembered that so soon, child."
The sword spirit's tone was calm, wise, and faintly sorrowful.
"Old friend…" Xiao Wang whispered. "Where… where am I?"
"Between death and rebirth. The System has chosen to bind with you… but it comes with a price."
"Price?"
"The moment you touched Heaven's blood, the seal broke. What now awakens within you… is not just power — it is the other half of your soul."
Before Xiao Wang could respond, a ripple spread through the void.
Another presence appeared.
The air changed — lighter, sharper, electric. Laughter — low, mischievous — echoed from behind him.
"Finally," a voice said, smooth and mocking, dripping with amusement. "You took your time waking up, brother."
Xiao Wang turned.
And saw himself.
Same face, same body — but this version of him had glowing crimson eyes and a playful grin. His hair shimmered silver-white, his aura vibrant and wild.
"You…"
The other Xiao Wang tilted his head, smirking. "Me. Or maybe you, depending on how you look at it."
The sword spirit sighed softly.
"The twin souls reunite… Heaven help us all."
"Wait—what do you mean twin souls?" Xiao Wang demanded.
The other version snapped his fingers; sparks of dark flame flared around him. "Simple. You're the boring one. I'm the fun one. You do all the suffering and brooding, and I do all the fighting, teasing, and… other enjoyable activities."
He winked.
"…What activities?" Xiao Wang asked suspiciously.
"Wouldn't you like to know? Let's just say I have an appreciation for the… finer things in life. Especially when those 'things' happen to be beautiful and breathing."
"You—!" Xiao Wang's eyes twitched.
[Warning: Soul Synchronization Conflict Detected.]
[Merging Balance Required.]
The system's voice interrupted, neutral and powerful.
[Initiating Dual Soul Protocol…]
[Designation: Primary Soul – Xiao Wang (Rational). Secondary Soul – ??? (Unstable Variant).]
[Stability Threshold: 43%. Warning: Conflict may lead to Host Fragmentation.]
"Oh? I like the sound of that," the variant said, grinning wider. "Unstable. Has a nice ring to it."
"System," Xiao Wang growled, "can I remove him?"
[Negative. Both souls share origin. Separation = Termination.]
The variant clapped mockingly. "You heard the lady. We're stuck together, forever~."
"Wonderful," Xiao Wang muttered.
The sword spirit chuckled faintly.
"This… is going to be entertaining."
The variant stretched his arms lazily, his aura flaring. "Alright, moody one. Enough sentimental talk. You've been dying, bleeding, and nearly vaporized by celestial beings. It's time someone with style took over."
[Permission Request: Temporary Soul Override?][
Warning: Power Surge Imminent.]
"What—wait!"
Too late.
A surge of crimson energy erupted around them. The void shattered like glass.
He woke up.
Reality slammed back into place.
The scent of smoke and blood filled his lungs. He lay amid the ruins of the Azure Sky Sect — the battlefield scorched and silent. Lightning still flickered weakly across the torn heavens.
He tried to move… and realized his wounds were gone. His body felt different — lighter, stronger, faster.
[Soul Reconstruction Complete.]
[Physical Regeneration: 100%.]
[System Link: Active.]
[Host Level: Mortal Rank – Peak Stage.]
[Sword Authority: Dormant.]
"What…" Xiao Wang muttered, clenching his fists. "It's real."
[Tutorial Unlocked: The Devourer's Path.]
[Kill. Devour. Evolve.]
As the interface faded, laughter burst inside his head.
"Now this is what I'm talking about!" his other self said. "Finally, some chaos to play with."
Xiao Wang ignored him and looked at his sword — or rather, what remained of it. The Devouring Blade had reformed, sleek and darker than before, its edge whispering faintly.
"You have changed, my master."
"Yeah," Xiao Wang said quietly. "And maybe for once, that's not a bad thing."
He stood.
The entire sect lay in ruins. Corpses of disciples, shattered towers, and the charred insignia of Heaven's judgment scattered everywhere.
And in the distance — faint, trembling — he heard voices. Survivors.
[Quest Generated: Eliminate Remaining Sect Elders.]
[Reward: Soul Fragment ×1 | System Upgrade Points +500.]
"Convenient," his other half murmured. "Let's go collect our reward, shall we?"
Xiao Wang exhaled. "Fine. But I'm in control."
"Sure. Sure."
When he moved, it was as if the wind obeyed him. The system's energy flowed naturally through his limbs, enhancing his every motion. His senses expanded — he could hear hearts beating from hundreds of meters away, feel the faint tremor of hidden killing intent.
The first elder appeared, bloodied but alive.
"Xiao Wang! You dare—"
Before the man finished, Xiao Wang flicked his wrist. A black ripple shot through the air, slicing the elder cleanly in half.
[Essence Absorbed: Human (Qi Condensation – Peak).]
[Trait Gained: Minor Soul Shield.]
He smirked. "Efficient."
His other half laughed. "Ooooh, the new toy's working perfectly. Let's test it on something bigger next!"
A group of disciples surrounded him, trembling, shouting empty threats. Xiao Wang tilted his head — and grinned.
"Didn't you kneel to Heaven just moments ago?"
They froze.
"Then kneel again."
A pulse of aura burst from his body. The sheer pressure flattened them to the ground.
[Fear Resonance Detected.]
[System Note: Psychological Dominance increases Devour Efficiency by 25%.]
"Good to know," Xiao Wang said coldly.
He stepped forward, his shadow stretching across the bodies.
"You've chosen to side with the ones who betrayed me. Consider this… mercy."
He lifted his sword — and dozens of shadows exploded outward, consuming the disciples instantly.
[Souls Devoured: 12.]
[Qi Refined. Bloodline Rank: Mortal → Spirit.]
Xiao Wang inhaled sharply as energy surged through him. His aura doubled, his eyes glowed faintly crimson.
He felt alive.
His other half whistled. "You look terrifying, brother. I'm proud."
"Quiet," Xiao Wang muttered. "We're not done."
Hours passed. The once-glorious Azure Sky Sect was nothing more than ruins and ash. Xiao Wang stood atop the grand hall, cloak fluttering in the dying wind.
[Primary Quest Complete.]
[Reward Distributed.]
[System Upgrade Points: +500.]
[Hidden Feature Unlocked: Sword Soul Fusion.]
"Sword Soul Fusion?"
[You may merge partial will of the Devouring Sword with your soul temporarily. Duration: 3 minutes.]
[Warning: Risk of Overload.]
The sword spirit's voice echoed softly.
"Use it wisely. That power is not meant for the living."
"Good," Xiao Wang said. "I'm not just living. I'm devouring."
He looked toward the northern horizon. Beyond the clouds, he could feel new enemies watching — divine signatures, demonic scents, and cultivators gathering like vultures.
"Let them come."
His other self laughed joyfully. "Now this is going to be fun."
Xiao Wang smiled faintly, eyes gleaming under the blood-red sky.